Everything and more about gardening in Shady's SE Iowa (USA) location.

Entering Spring -2015

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Hurrah for Huechera and the Other Fella'

Huechera

The genus Heuchera includes at least 50 species of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Saxofragaceae, all native to North America. Common names include alumroot and coral bells. There are many, many varieties that vary in leaf shape, color, and blossom. You should look them up. I don't have many varieties... but I'm always on the "lookout!" ;-)

(I have ordered two Heuchera plants for Spring 2009. 'Sashay' and 'Purple Petticoats.' Hope they do well!)

'Lime Rickey' - deceased.This may not return, asI may have given it too much attention last year!If it truly has expired, I may look for another... just because.

'Amber Waves' looked great early last Spring,but I'm not sure it liked its location...if it survives the Winter, I will probably move it.This 'Amber Waves' is in a backyard location.Obviously this was taken very early last Spring (note the Spring Beauties).'Green Spice' in April

'Green Spice' in May

'Palace Purple'(I have planted several of these)

And the Other Fine Fella'Heucherella!(This is a cross between Heuchera and Tiarella - the foamy bells.)This is 'Quicksilver'This is 'Strike it Rich, Gold'It resides in the SE woodland walk...and it really likes it there.

:-)There are a couple of people "out there," that seem to enjoy seeing what I've planted in my shady backyard. In that I've gleaned inspiration from so many sources (many of whom are garden bloggers!), I'm happy to tell you that these are pretty easy to grow. Most of the, though, don't care for a day of direct sunlight!

Me! I love what you plant in your shady garden...I love these plants. They are obviously happy in your garden! Here in the south we have better luck with any heuchera with villosa in their parentage. It can take our heat and humidity better. I can't wait to show you my spring beauties....I'm just that excited about wildflowers. gail

Hi Shady (IVG here),We only have 2 Palace Purple Heucheras, that we planted more for the foliage than the blooms (ho-hum), though the last couple of years they seem to have gotten swallowed up by their neighbors the hollies. Still, they are quite attractive peeking out from under their shade and seem to be doing quite well nonetheless.

You show a lot of attractive varieties here, but if I had my druthers for more woodland treats (we're fast running out of space, as you know!), my money's still on Ligularia dentata Desdemona ... we just can't get enough of that plant!

You've got a great heuchera collection going. I had at least 7 lime, but the area wasn't quite shady enough and I started getting leaf scorch -- then the rabbits (I think it was them, not deer) ate them to the ground. I've saved one (I think) and will see if the eaten ones come back.

Me too! I love seeing what you've got going on in your shady garden! :-)I can see why you'd replace 'Lime Rickey' ~ he's beautiful. I have two Heucheras ~ a purple and one called 'Carolina Bronze' that I bought last year. I had it in a container then transplanted it to a bed last fall (when everything else got frosted). I hope it comes up this spring. You have some lovely varieties. They are great little plants aren't they?

Kathleen, "Lime Rickey" was stunning! I had such fun admiring him... but I tried to move him just a smidgeon and I believe that's what did him in. Sometimes, however, I think heuchera can be a little finicky.

We had a warm day and I was able to plant a few plants but it's winter again. Very wet, very cold and there is no gardening happening...but we have nothing to really complain about..even tho we do...complain, I mean. Take care dear and be warm and safe.

I like all of your Heuchera. I have H.'Mint Frost', which has similar colour patterns to 'Green Spice'. I like the leaf shape, and the way the silvery colours brighten the shady areas. The orange colour change in the fall was attractive too.I've been looking at the Heucherellas after your last pot.

At the first house we lived in, the previous owners had some great flowers already planted, but I was more into vegetable gardening at the time. I wished later that I'd taken better care of, and taken some with us to our next yard.

I loved the coral bells on the west side of the house, and over the years have had fun discovering different kinds of them. Some do better for me than others. I have a hard time remembering their names, though.

Sue, Over my years of flower gardening, I've found myself wishing I'd kept the plant tags! A condensed version of what could be a long story is that since we've moved here, I've done just that. And I've created metal tags outdoors. Last Summer I made a little garden bed notebook to record everything (due to the fact that sometimes tags disappear). Whew! :-) This Winter's project seems to be getting out-of-hand! (More on that later!) ;-)

I have 2 'Lime Ricky's that are growing fine, but last autumn I bought 'Citronelle' because it has more yellow foliage. If your 'Lime Rickey' doesn't revive, give 'Citronelle' a try. It's a villosa hybrid and is therefore more heat tolerant. I've got a bit of a Heuchera/Heucherella collection going too. I have such a hard time not buying these plants. Good thing they like my garden.

Truly enjoyable! Ah, to have the space to cultivate such specimens. 'Purple Palace' is my one and only Heuchera. But, I live vicariously through the perennial tables at Corliss. This is my first spring with a camera, so look out!